Key operated, multiple station counting device

ABSTRACT

A self contained, key operated, multiple station counting device suitable for use, for example, with a compacting device serving a number of users. Each user&#39;&#39;s station is provided with first key actuated means by which the trash compactor is actuated to receive, and then compact, trash placed therein, while at the same time a counting means is actuated to show this use of the compactor. Each user&#39;&#39;s station is further provided with second key actuated means by which a separate counter, restricted to its respective station, is actuated to show that the compactor was actuated from that station. In this way the total number of times the compactor is used during a given time period is recorded while at the same time this total is broken down to show how many such uses are attributable to each of the individual stations.

United States atent 1 Scott 1 Oct, 16, R973 KEY OPERATED, MULTIPLESTATION COUNTING DEVICE Primary ExaminerMaynard R. Wilbur I AssistantExaminer-Robert F. Gnuse Attorney-John W. Melville et al.

[75] Inventor: Charles H. Scott, Cincinnati, Ohio 73] Assignee: ControlSystems, linc., Cincinnati, [57] ABSTRACT A self contained, keyoperated, multiple station count- [22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1971 ing devicesuitable for use, for example, with a compacting device serving a numberof users. Each users [21] Appl' 200091 station is provided with firstkey actuated means by which the trash compactor is actuated to receive,and [52] us. Cl 235/92 CT, 100/99, 235/92 R, t mp t, trash placedtherein, while at the same 235/92 FL time a counting means is actuatedto show this use of [51] Int. Cl. 606m 3/08 the Compactor. Each usersstation is further provided [5 8] Field of Search 235/92 FL, 92 CT, withsecond key actuated means by which a separate 235/92 SB; 100/99 counter,restricted to its respective station, is actuated to show that thecompactor was actuated from that [56] References Cited station. In thisway the total number of times the com- UNITED STATES PATENTS pactor isused during a given time period is recorded 3,469,078 9/1969 Binford235/92 FL wh'le at the Same thls bmke 3,551,652 12/1970 Faude 235,92 CTshow how many such uses are attributable to each of 3,252,620 5/1966Houle 235/92'FL mdwldual Statlons- 3,608,476 9/1971 Price 100/99 2Claims, 6 Drawing ig T W w a a 5 e 45' I I 52 I 3/ 55 JD l 35 4 39 KEYOPERATED, MULTIPLE STATION COUNTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention For a long time operators haveneeded a means by which they could determine who and how much trash acustomer disposes of in their stationary compactors. This became more ofa necessity for the operator with the advent of the large shoppingcenters, malls, multiple apartment complexes, large office buildings andsome corporations who are wanting to know how much trash is beinggenerated by various departments within their operation. The keyoperated, multiple station counting device allows multiple customers theuse of one stationary compactor, centrally located in their operatingarea. The unit will name the customer, tell how much trash he disposesof and tell how often the compactor was used altogether.

2. Description of the Prior Art No search of the records contained inthe United States Patent Office has been made. It is believed thatcounting devices of some kind have been employed with duplicatingmachines located in certain offices so that the number of times variousdepartments use a common duplicating machine can be determined. It isalso believed that some sort of counting arrangements have been used inconnection with fuel pumps. It is not known, however, how these othercounting devices function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The counting device has its own source ofelectric power. The trash compactor also has its own source of electricpower. The trash compactor is normally in its closed or compactingposition, that which it reaches at the end of its compacting stroke. Thecompactor and its control circuit, both of which are old and well knownin the art, are arranged, for example, so as to include a normallyclosed switch. When this normally closed switch is opened, the compactorram will retract to the open, trash receiving position for thecompactor. When the switch is closed the compactor ram moves on itscompacting stroke. Actuation of this normally closed switch iscontrolled by a relay which is in a circuit that includes a pilot light,the totalizer and'all the top switches of all ofthe stations included inthe device. When anyone of these top switches is actuated by the turn ofa key and the'associated cam, the pilot light is turned on, thetotalizer tabulates another use of the compactor, and the relay opensthe normally closed switch located in the power line for the compactor.When this key is returned to its original position the pilot light goesoff and the relay permits the normally closed switch to return to itsclosed position whereby the compactor ram moves on its compactingstroke. The turn of the key also actuates another cam which operates thebottom switch for that particular station whereby the counter for thatstation is actuated so that the number of times the compactor wasoperated from that station is recorded. Each station has a similarcircuit including its own bottom switch and counter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspectiveview showing the key operated, multiple station counting device and thecompactor utilized therewith and illustrating what happens when the keyis turned clockwise as indicated in this FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, perspective view similar to that of FIG. I andillustrating what happens when the key is returned to its originalposition by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section,illustrating one of the plurlaity of stations.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the plurality of stations.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the circuit that is common toall of the top switches and which includes the pilot light, thetotalizer, and the relay which controls actuation of the compactor.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the circuits which areemployed with each of the bottom switches, each such bottom switchhaving a connection to a separate counter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2the key operated multiple station counting device is generally indicatedat 10 and the compactor at 11. For purposes of illustration the countingdevice is shown as having 30 key operated stations 12. More or less ofthese stations may be included without departing from the scope of theinvention. The ram 13 of the compactor 11 is normally closed. When onedesires to use the compactor he places his key in his station 12 andturns it, this initial turn of the key being indicated as in a clockwisedirection as seen in FIG. 1. Upon such turn of th key the ram 13 willmove in the direction indicated in FIG. I so that trash may be depositedbehind the ram 13 in the area indicated at 14. When the selected key isreturned to its original position the ram 13 will return to its closedposition on a compacting stroke whereby to compact the trash indicatedat 15 in FIG. 2. It will be understood that this trash is compactedwithin a container, not

shown, located in the compactor 11 so that the compacted, packaged trashmay be removed from that end of the compactor which is opposite the ram13 and taken to a dump or the like. 7 I

An individual station 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each suchstation 12 includes a U-shaped bracket 16 secured to a wall 17 of thecounting device. A shaft 19 is suitably journaled within the bracket 16and wall 17.

The shaft is rotated by turning a key placed into mechanism, not shownin detail, located within the housing 20. The members 21 and 22cooperate to this end in conventional manner. Suffice it to saythatthe'key 18 may be turned from an off position to an on position and backagain. The shaft 19 is thus rotated by these turns of the key. Such keyoperated mechanisms are conventional, being old and well known in theart.

A pair of micro switches 23 and 24 is fixed to the bracket 16 asindicated at 25. The micro switch 23 is more particularly designated asa bottom switch and the micro switch 24 as a top switch. Thesev switchesare normally open. EAch may be closed by depressing its contact button26 and 27 respectively. A pair of cams 28 and 29 is fixed on the shaft19. In the off position of the key 18 the cams 28 and 29 are out ofcontact with the buttons 26 and 27. When the key 18 is turned from itsoff position to its on position, for purposes of illustration this hasbeen indicated as a clockwise movement when considering FIG. 1, theshaft 19 is rotated so as to bring th cams 28 and 29 into contact withthe buttons 26 and 27 whereby to close the normally open, bottom and topmicro switches 23 and 24. When the key 18 is returned from its onposition to its original off position the cams 28 and 29 are moved outof contact with the buttons 26 and 27 whereby the top and bottomswitches 23 and 24 respectively return to their open condition. All ofthis is conventional, old and well known in the art. Their specificincorporation, however, in the overall system described herein, is new.

Referring briefly to FIG. 5, the counting device is illustrated asoperating on 120 volts alternating current from a source of electricpower which, for purposes of illustration, is considered as including ahot line or wire 30 and a neutral wire 31. As shown in FIG. 4 the hotline 30 is connected to each of the bottom and top switches 23 and 24.This same hot line, or a continuation of it, will also be connected toall of the other micro switches provided for the other stations all ofwhich are arranged in the manner indicated in connection with station 12shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Wires or lines leading from the switches 23 and24 are indicated at 32 and 33. It will be understood that when thenormally opened switches 23 and 24 are closed, electricity will flowthrough the hot line 30 to the respective lines 32 and 33 via the microswitches 23 and 24 as closed by actuation of the key operated cams 28and 29.

FIG. schematically depicts the circuit arrangement which includes thetop switch 24. The hot wire 30 is illustrated as being connected to theterminal 34 of a terminal strip 35, there being a connection between theterminal 34 and a second terminal 36. The wire coming from the terminal36 is a continuation of the hot wire 30 and, therefore, has been giventhe same reference numeral. This hot wire 30 is connected to the topswitch 24 as earlier explained. (As will be shown in greater detaillater, it is also connected to the bottom switch 23.)

The wire 31 which has been designated as a neutral wire is connected tothe terminal 37 of the strip 35, there being a further connectionbetween the terminal 37 and the terminal 38. The wire coming from theterminal 38 is also in effect a continuation of the neutral wire 31 andhas been accorded the same reference numeral 31. A further terminalstrip 39 is utilized. This strip 39 has a plurality of aligned,connected terminals disposed in a lower horizontal row. The neutral wireis connected to the first of these lower terminals. There is an upperrow of corresponding terminals. Corresponding upper and lower terminalsgenerally indicated at 41 and 42 are connected together. All of theterminals 42 are connected together but the terminals 41 are connectedonly to their respective, corresponding terminals 42. The terminal strip49 must contain enough of the terminals 41 and 42 to provide one pairfor the relay, one pair for the totalizer, and one pair for each of thebottom switches 23. v

The relay is generally indicated at 43 and is illustrated as having 8terminals numbered 1 through 8 as indicated. The relay itself is old andwell known in the art and will not be described in detail. This is alsotrue of the totalizer 44 and the pilot light 45. It should be noted thatstation No. 2 of the relay 43 is hot and the station No. 7 of the relayis neutral, there being, however, internal relay mechanism connectingthese stations 2 and 7. The hot line 30 extending from the top switch 24is connected to station 2 of the relay 43. The

neutral wire 31 coming from the terminal strip 39 is connected tostation 7 of the relay 43. The line 30 has a continuation which includesthe pilot light 45 and the line 31 has a continuation which alsoconnects to the pilot light 45. The line 30 has a further continuationconnecting to the totalizer 44 while the line 31 has a continuation, viathe aligned, lower row of terminals in the terminal strip 39, which alsoincludes the totalizer 44. There is a connection between the last of theupper terminals 41 and the last of the lower terminals .42, these beingthose indicated at the right-hand side of the strip 39 as viewed in FIG.5. A similar connection exists between the furthermost left-hand upperand lower terminals and 42.

When the top switch 24 is closed by turning a key as.

described earlier herein, a circuit is closed which includes the pilotlight 45 via the hot wire 30, the switch 24, station No. 7 of the relay43 and the neutral wire 31; at the same time the totalizer 44 isactuated via the hot line 30, station No. 2 of the relay 43, and theneutral wire 31; and the relay 43 is actuated by the hot line 30,station No. 2 of the relay, the internal mechanism (not shown) of therelay, station No. 7 of the relay and the neutral line 31. In effect, asingle circuit accomplishes all of the foregoing. All of the topswitches utilized will be located in this circuit in the same manner asdescribed in connection with top switch 24 of FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, ifthe counting device includes 30 of the stations 12, each of the 30 topswitches will be located in the circuit just described in the samemanner as the particular station 24 shown. As an example, a second topswitch 24 has been shown in FIG. 5. Actuation of any one of these topswitches 24 will complete the circuit that turns on the pilot light,activates the relay and actuates the totalizer.

Considering FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the compactor 11 has its own source ofelectric power and includes a hot line 50 and a neutral line 51. Thelines 50 and 51 are connected to the compactor 11 in such manner thatthe ram 13 is normally in its closed position when the circuit 50, 51 isintact. Anormally closed switch 53 having terminals A and B is includedin the circuit 50, 51. The stations A and B are respectively connectedto stations 3 and 6 of the relay 43 by lines 54 and 55. The compactorcircuit 50, 51 includes an arrangement generally indicated at 60 whichis effective to move the ram 13 to its open position when the switch 53is opened to break the compacting circuit 50, 51.

The internal mechanism of the relay 43 is so arranged that when stationNo. 2 gets hot as will happen when any one of the top switch 24 isclosed, the stations 3 and 6 of such relay will become active and acircuit completed through the lines 54 and 55 to connect the stations Aand B and open the switch 53. When the switch 53 opens the circuit 50,51 is broken and, due to the internal workings of the mechanism 60, theram 13 will move to its retracted or open position. It should benoted-at this point that various control systems are used in connectionwith compactors and this invention is not directed to the specificoperation of the compac-' tor as such. Such compactors and the means foroperating them are old and well known in the art.

It will be observed, therefore, that when any one of the top switches isclosed, a master circuit is put in operative condition and this circuitincludes the pilot light 45, the totalizer 44 and the relay 43 whichincludes in turn leads 54 and 55 connected to the switch 53 located inthe compactor circuit whereby actuation of such relay 43 opens theswitch 53 to permit the compactor to open whereby trash may be placed inthe charge chamber 14 indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a circuit for a bottom switch and its counter.Wherein those devices and circuit members respond to those previouslydescribed, like reference numerals will be employed. Thus, for example,note that the 120 volt alternating current source includes the same hotline or wire 30. This further illustrates the fact, mentioned earlier,that both the top and bottom switch of each station are all heated upfrom the same electric power source. Extensions of the hot line 30extend to and from the bottom switch 23. The micro switch 23 is normallyopen. When the contact button 26 is actuated by its cam the circuitthrough the bottom switch 23 is completed. The extension 30 leading fromthe switch 23 connects to a terminal located on a terminal strip 70. Theneutral wire 31 extends from the terminal strip 35 to the terminal strip39. The extension 31a of this neutral wire 31 takes off from theterminal 41 for counter No. 1 to the counter 72, the extension 31a thenhooking up with the terminal strip 70.

When the bottom switch 23 is closed it will be seen that there is aclosed circuit including the hot line 30, the counter 72 and the neutralline 31 and extension 31a thereof. All bottom switch circuits will belike the one illustrated. Although the hot line 30 will heat up all ofthe bottom switches, as well as all of the top switches, there will be aseparate circuit for each of the bottom switches and their respectivecounters, thus the plurality of stations on the terminal strip 39. Forpurposes of illustration the counter 80 for a second station 12 has beenshown in the'circuit which includes its bottom switch 23a. Counter 72 isconnected to station No. 1 on the terminal strip 39 while counter 80 isconnected to the connector strip 39 at terminal No. 2. The mostleft-hand terminal on the strip, as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, is terminal90 for the relay discussed earlier herein.

In the preferred form of the invention, as generally indicated in FIGS.1 and 2, there will be 30 of the stations 12 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.There will be 30 pairs of top and bottom switches 24 and 23. All 60 ofthe switches will be heated up from the same 120 AC source. The 30 topswitches 24 will be in a single circuit which includes the hot line 30,the' top switches 24, the pilot light 45, the totalizer 44, and therelay 43. Although all 30 of the bottom switches 23 will also be heatedup by the hot wire 30,. there will be separate, but like, circuitsconnecting each bottom switch with its respective counter, thus, forexample, one such circuit will include the hot line 30, the bottomswitch 23 and the counter 72. Another such circuit will include the hotline 30, the bottom switch 23a, and the counter 80. A third bottomswitch (not shown) would be connected through its counter to others ofthe terminals 41 and 42 on the strip 39; this would be for station. No.3. It will be understood that additional terminals and counters will besupplied to take care of all of the stations incorporated in the devicewhich, as shown herein, would amount to 30 such stations.

It will be noted that all of the top switches 24 do the same job,namely, each will actuate the pilot light 45, the totalizer 44 and therelay 43 which in turn will control actuation of the compactor; all ofthese switches 24, therefore, are in the same circuit. All of the bottomswitches 23 and the circuits which include the respective counters arelike but separate in that there is a separate connection between eachbottom switch 23 and its counter for that station 12.

By way of review, the key operated, multiple station counting devicecontains a plurality of the stations 12, 30 being illustrated in theembodiment described herein. Each station has a pair of micro switches24 and 23, the top and bottom switches herein discussed. Each stationhas a pair of cams 29 and 28 which are located on a shaft 19 which maybe rotated by means of a key 18. Each station 12 will be actuatable by aseparate and distinctive key 18. Each customer will be assigned aparticular station 12 and given the particular key 18 for actuating thatstation.

When a customer desires to make use of the compactor he will go to thecounting device, insert his key in the respective housing 30 for thestation 12 assigned to him, and actuate the shaft 19. When this is donethe top and bottom switches 24 and 23 for that station are actuated. Theclosing of the bottom micro switch 23 will complete a circuit throughthe counter assigned to that station thus showing the number of timesthat the compactor was operated via that station. The closing of the topmicro switch 24 will turn on the pilot light, thus indicating the systemto be in working order, it will actuate the totalizer, thus showing thetotal number of times the compactor is operated by all of the stations,and the relay which controls the compactor 11 will be activated. When soactivated the compactor ram 13 will move from its normally closedposition to an open position at which time the charge chamber 14 isavailable to receive trash. When the selected key 18 is returned to itsoriginal position, the circuits which include the top and bottomswitches will be opened and deactivation of the relay 43 will permit theseparate power circuit 50, 51 for the compactor 11 to again closewhereby the compacting ram 13 returns to its closed position whilecompacting the trash placed within the charge chamber 14.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications maybe made in this invention without departing from the scope and spiritthereof. While the invention has been shown and described in connectionwith particular devices and circuits, these are not to The embodimentsof the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is-claimedare defined as follows: 1

1. A system for counting the number of times a trash compactor is usedand by whom including a trash compactor having a normally closedposition and a first source-of electricity for actuating said compactor;a counting device having a second source of electricity; a plurality ofstations in said counting device; a pair of normally open first andsecond switches for each said station; actuating means at each stationfor closing and opening said first and second switches together, a firstcircuit connected to said second source and including all of said firstswitches; a relay in said first circuit having an operative connectionto said first source whereby to control actuation of said compactor; atotalizer in said first circuit for counting the total number of timessaid relay is actuated; a plurality of like second circuits connected tosaid second source, there being a separate said second circuit for eachsaid second switch; a plurality of counters, there being one saidcounter in each said second circuit for counting the number of timessaid relay is actuated from the selected said station; and a pluralityof dissimilar keys, one for each said station, to engage the saidactuating means at the said station selected; whereby when said selectedkey is turned to move said actuating means the said first and saidsecond switches for the selected station are closed and said relay, saidtotalizer and the said counter for the selected station are actuated,actuation of said relay causing said compactor to open so that trash maybe placed therein, said totalizer and the said selected counter eachrecording such actuation of the said relay and said compactor, andwhereby when said key is turned to its original position the said firstand said second switches for the selected station are open and saidrelay, said totalizer and the said counter for the selected station aredeactuated, deactuation of said relay causing said compactor to returnto its original closed position whereby to compact the trash placedtherein when open.

2. The system of claim 1 including a pilot light in said first circuit.

1. A system for counting the number of times a trash compactor is usedand by whom including a trash compactor having a normally closedposition and a first source of electricity for actuating said compactor;a counting device having a second source of electricity; a plurality ofstations in said counting device; a pair of normally open first andsecond switches for each said station; actuating means at each stationfor closing and opening said first and second switches together, a firstcircuit connected to said second source and including all of said firstswitches; a relay in said first circuit having an operative connectionto said first source whereby to control actuation of said compactor; atotalizer in said first circuit for counting the total number of timessaid relay is actuated; a plurality of like second circuits connected tosaid second source, there being a separate said second circuit for eachsaid second switch; a plurality of counters, there being one saidcounter in each said second circuit for counting the number of timessaid relay is actuated from the selected said station; and a pluralityof dissimilar keys, one for each said station, to engage the saidactuating means at the said station selected; whereby when said selectedkey is turned to move said actuating means the said first and saidsecond switches for the selected station are closed and said relay, saidtotalizer and the said counter for the selected station are actuated,actuation of said relay causing said compactor to open so that trash maybe placed therein, said totalizer and the said selected counter eachrecording such actuation of the said relay and said compactor, andwhereby when said key is turned to its original position the said firstand said second switches for the selected station are open and saidrelay, said totalizer and the said counter for the selected station aredeactuated, deactuation of said relay causing said compactor to returnto its original closed position whereby to compact the trash placedtherein when open.
 2. The system of claim 1 including a pilot light insaid first circuit.